Key Takeaways
1. Duckstation’s Android version may not receive further updates due to developer Stenzek’s lack of interest.
2. Stenzek claims Android users do not want updates, a statement many in the community doubt.
3. The developer has a history of controversy, including limiting support for Linux and removing Duckstation from the Arch User Repository.
4. The emulation community is discussing the future of Duckstation, highlighting the demand for updates and new features.
5. Duckstation is no longer open-source; it is now under a restrictive license that prevents modifications and derivative works.
Duckstation on Android Might Be Dead
The well-known emulator for PlayStation 1, Duckstation, might not be getting any more updates for its Android version, at least not in an official manner. The developer, who goes by the name Stenzek and is known for being quite controversial, mentioned in a chat on Discord that he has no wish to continue providing updates. He also claimed that Android users “told [him] they don’t want updates” which many see as a hard claim to believe.
Controversial Developer
Stenzek has previously caused a stir by limiting package creation for Linux and even suggested he might stop supporting Duckstation on that platform altogether. He expressed that he was “sick of the headaches and hacks for an operating system that only compromises 2% of the userbase,” and asked for the Arch User Repository (AUR) package for Duckstation to be removed, as he neither created nor supported it.
Android Version in Trouble
Now, it appears that the official Android version of Duckstation could be in trouble as well. When a curious user on Discord asked about the next Android update, Stenzek replied that he had neither “the time nor energy to do something [he’ll] mostly get negativity for.” This suggests that he may not be planning any further updates for the Android version of Duckstation.
Community Reactions
His remarks have sparked more conversations within the emulation community. While the majority of emulators are open-source and free for users, there is still a strong demand for updates and new features, even for projects that started as hobbies.
It’s important to mention that Duckstation was once open-source under the GPLv3 license, but that is no longer the case. The emulator is now listed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, which prohibits commercial use, as well as any modifications or derivative works. This licensing prevents the emulator from being forked in official terms.
Mr. Sujano on X
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